Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Locked On Patriots -October 29, 2019: Trade Winds and Banter with Balestrieri

Episode Date: October 29, 2019

It’s Trade Deadline Day in the NFL and Steve Balestrieri of PatsFans.com joins host Mike D’Abate to discuss some potential deals for the New England Patriots. The pair also take a quick look ahead to the Pats upcoming Sunday Night showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

and hello to all you Foxborough faithful and welcome to your trade deadline Tuesday episode of locked on Patriots your daily home for news notes analysis and the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions theme to England Patriots this episode is brought to you in part by Peloton Peloton is offering a limited time offer. Get $100 off accessories when you purchase the Peloton bike and get a great cardio workout at home. Go to onepeloton.com

and use promo code LOCKED to get started. I'm Mike DeBate and I am your host of Locked On Patriots, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at MDABATEFPC and be sure to follow Locked On Podcast Network. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at MDABATEFPC, and be sure to follow Locked On Patriots on Twitter at LO underscore Patriots. Well, folks, as Cornelius Vanderbilt once said, there is no friendship in trade,

and that will be on full display as the NFL trade deadline is fast approaching. Today, 4 p.m. Eastern time. Patriots have already made one deal. One week ago today, acquired veteran wide receiver Muhammad Sanu from the Atlanta Falcons for a second round draft pick. We already saw Sanu get game action on Sunday. Look for him to get game action again this coming Sunday as well. We continue to hear rumors, and the Pats right now may not even be done. What will they do?

Well, only Bill Belichick and the Brain Trust really know for sure, but I'll give it my best guess. And here to help me with that is a good friend of Locked On Patriots, a great friend of our family. Steve Balistrieri of Patsfans.com joins me to offer his take on the Pats' deadline deals. We're also going to get his thoughts on the Pats' Browns and put Steve on the hot seat in turning our attention to the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore, Maryland this Sunday as the Pats get ready for a Sunday night showdown with the Ravens.

So a great show on tap for you today. Sit tight, enjoy your caffeinated beverage, and I hope that you enjoy the show. But before I welcome Steve into the show today, I just wanted to share a couple of draft day disclaimers with you. And this is a fun day for NFL fans. Visions of sugar plums supposedly dance in everyone's heads when you talk about certain players that can be acquired. And we know from personal experience, folks, the Patriots are not afraid to make trades at the deadline.

We've seen them acquire high profile players like Aqib Tlaib in recent memory. They've also traded away some marquee players like Jimmy Garoppolo. So on that basis, anything is possible. But the disclaimer here is really practicality. And I know Patriots fans have visions of Trent Brown, excuse me, Trent, Trent Brown, Trent Williams, O.J. Howard. I've even seen Odell Beckham Jr. questions in my mention and on social media. And it's fun to examine the possibilities, but let's keep this in mind. According to my good friend Miguel Benzon of Boston Sports Journal,

the Patriots have a salary cap space number, after the Cody Kessler re-signing yesterday of $2,383,356. And despite what you will hear, that is a factor. Cap space can be worked with, that's true. It's not a figment of our imagination, though. A tight salary cap situation like the one that the Patriots

have right now will limit their ability to swing a trade by today's deadline. In other words, folks, the cap is not crap. And Bill Belichick acknowledged this just this morning when he was asked about the cap restraints by Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston. And he mentioned and he said it would definitely affect us. Belichick also made a point to reference that the Patriots have to factor in additional transactions over the remainder of

the season, whether that be injuries, players cut, players brought in, always have to factor those matters in. So they need to leave themselves a cushion salary cap wise. With just under 2.4 million available, it does allow them some flexibility to make some moves, but not as much as those of you may think. So a high-profile move may not be within the Patriots' cards this time around, but again, we'll see. Anything and everything is possible in New England. So before that list gets too lofty, just keep that in mind when 4 p.m. hits.

It's nice to treat the NFL deadline, like a trade deadline I should say, like an Amazon wish list, but sometimes it's just not possible. So keep your feet on the ground when it comes to these matters, and we'll see what the Patriots do today at 4 p.m. The second disclaimer I wanted to provide you before I welcome Steve in is please do not fall for fake news, folks. Today's a holiday for social media trolls, and some have become amazingly good at faking accounts and reporting inaccurate trades. Two things to keep in mind when you're watching

the trade deadline today. The blue checkmark next to the reporter's name, it's a good indication, generally a good indication, that they're reliable and they're a verified source. So especially on Twitter, make sure that that blue checkmark is always there before you put any stock into anything that you see.

But there's a little more to it than that as well. Sometimes these checkmarks can even be forged a little bit or replicated in a way that makes them look pretty verified. Always check two things when it comes to someone's social media handle. Check their biography. Biographies can be cut and pasted, yes, verified always check two things when it comes to someone's social media handle check their biography biographies can be cut and pasted yes but always double check that and also double check the spelling of the twitter handle that's big that is absolutely key rapaport doesn't have three consecutive p's schaefter doesn't have two consecutive t. Always watch for things like that because the misspellings will be a dead giveaway

every single time. And so just while you're doing that, again, it's a lot of fun. Trade deadlines are always fun in any professional sport. But just check the Twitter headlines and read the tweet. And if it doesn't seem too, you know, believable or if it seems like it could be a fake,

keep that in mind before you retweet it or before you complain to some of the beat writers and the media members. We do absolutely appreciate that without question. So now that I've given you some of the proper disclaimers, I will be welcoming Steve in just a moment. But first, I have a question for you. Yes, you, listening out there.

Do your weekend plans involve watching football? What a ridiculous question. Of course they do. And you love watching your favorite team fight for victory. As a true football fan, you already know, just as sure as the seasons change, Tom Brady will keep the Patriots in the game. And every weekend, our favorite gridiron warriors put their skills to the test. So why aren't you doing the same?

We're almost halfway through the NFL season, so now is the time to get off the sidelines and get in the game with my bookie. My bookie is the premier place to bet on all of your favorite pro and college football action every weekend. They always have the most up-to-date lines and the most prompt bets of any sportsbook on the planet. So if you're going to bet this season, do the smart thing and bet with the best at MyBookie.

If you're the kind of guy who likes to bet a little and win a lot, try a parlay. Pick your locks for the week, put them together in one parlay bet, and when they all come through, the rewards will be huge. Tired of watching games from the couch with nothing to gain? MyBookie wants to get your mind off everything else and back on the game. Best part is, if you join right now, MyBookie will double your first deposit. That's right. We'll be right back. Double your cash. Visit mybookie.ag today. You play, you win, you get paid with MyBookie. My guest today is one of the best and most knowledgeable columnists

that you can find in Patriots media, a dear friend of mine and a great friend of the Locked On Patriots family, as I previously stated. You know his great work from patsfans.com, as well as being the co-host of two amazing podcasts, Patriots 4th and 2, and One Patriots Place. It's my honor to always

welcome Steve Balistrieri into the Locked On Patriots hot seat. Steve, thanks so much for taking time out and joining me today. Oh, Mike, I appreciate you asking me back on, and it's always fun to talk football with one of my good friends. Absolutely, and I couldn't feel any, I feel exactly the same way.

My sentiments could not have been relayed any better, so thank you for that compliment as well. And it's trade deadline day, my friend, and we're definitely going to get into some of the ins and outs of what Patriots fans can expect today. I opened the show by letting Patriots fans know that maybe they need to just pump the brakes a little bit on what's going on here. However, we did have a game a couple of days ago, and the Patriots, again, moved to 8-0. They look very impressive, and this has been a big, big season for the defense especially.

It's been a great season for special teams. It's been a pretty good season for the offense, although they have experienced some sputters along the way, and I know a lot of people want to put some swords in the side of what the Patriots have been able to do offensively. What stood out to you in the Patriots' victory over the Browns, particularly being able to move the ball effectively in adverse weather conditions and also on the defensive side of the ball, they continue to force turnovers.

What really was the standouts to you when you watched the game on Sunday? Well, you know, I thought the offense, I mean, they're so shorthanded right now. You know, they're missing shorthanded right now. They're missing three of their offensive linemen, both of their starting fullbacks, two tight ends. So we knew they were going to struggle a little bit. But the big thing is once Cleveland narrowed it 17-10 in the third quarter, I thought they answered with a tremendous drive.

And that really put the game away. And I was watching Brady and James White and Julian Edelman, the usual suspects, as we call them. You know, they put together that drive. And that pretty much put that game away. I thought after that they had the game well in hand. And, of course, the defense was outstanding again. Yeah, I agree. I think the defense definitely continues to make plays. And even though I know some people were pointing out that maybe the Browns exposed a little bit of a

I don't want to say weakness in this defense, but exposed an opportunity to be able to score on this defense and having Nick Chubb run. First of all, I have two things to say about that. Nick Chubb is a very good runner, and he presents problems no matter what type of defense you're going to play. He was able to find yardage. But the second point of that is that the Patriots did get stops on Chubb when they needed to, and they forced some turnovers when they needed to as well. And that's been such a hallmark of this defense without question. They do face a formidable challenge this week in the Baltimore Ravens, and we'll close the show today by getting your thoughts on what the Pats can

expect there. But, again, it's trade deadline day, and the wish list of Patriots fans continues to grow. And we look at this team, we look at some of the difficulties they've had on the offensive line we look at some of the turnover and turmoil they've had at the wide receiver position and of course the tight end position has not been the prolific source of either yards or catches or points that it has been in the past with the departure of Rob

Gronkowski it's gotten a little bit better with the addition of Benjamin Watson, but still, Matt Lacoste, Ryan Izzo, neither one of them even dressed in the game against the Browns on Sunday, and it was just simply Watson and Tomlinson who kind of was there, and then he wasn't, and then he was back again, and he's kind of playing in a lot of fullback roles as we see them move forward. In your opinion, when you look at the Patriots' wish list, not taking under account what you think they must do at the roster itself, what do you think is their biggest position of need if they're going to make a move today by 4 p.m.?

Well, I think, you know, you look at the tackle position and Marshall Newhouse is definitely the weak link there. And, you know, they're working with them. They're doing what they can. But it's really a, you know, it's kind of a sore spot. And, you know, when you look at the protection that Tom Brady's getting, I think that's what you really have to look at now. With Isaiah Wynn coming back? That will definitely help that. You know, I know a lot of people wanted Trent Williams,

but they just don't have the cash to realistically make that happen. So, you know, if I'm looking at where they can actually help themselves, it would be tight end. Yeah, I think so. I really do. And the name that we keep hearing now is oj howard and we keep hearing that name bandied about and we're hearing that the tampa bay buccaneers might consider being able to move him however they want a first round pick in return we know the patriots first round

picks or any type of a first round pick is a good commodity we know that but you almost have to assume at this point that a patriots first rounder is going to be very, very similar to what you would get with a very high second rounder. The only difference is that they are paying a first round premium as opposed to a second round premium. So in that vein, if the Patriots do choose to target a guy like O.J. Howard, first of all, do you believe it's feasible? And second of all, do you believe that the Patriots would go ahead and make that move knowing they would have to give up first-round draft capital to get him? That being said, if it's not Howard, who else do you have on your radar at tight end

that the Patriots might have a look at? Yeah, I mean, if I was the Patriots, I would give up a first-rounder for Howard. I think he's a first-round talent. They just don't use him down in Tampa Bay. And remember, I believe he was drafted in the first round as well. He was. He has that kind of capability. I just think they would bring out the best in him.

And the other factor in there is he's only 24 years old. I mean, he hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential yet. So I think, you know, he's a guy you could plug in to your offense for years to come, and he would give you the production that you look for with your tight ends. He's a very good blocker, and he's just fitting with his offense extremely well. That being said, you know, Tampa Bay initially turned them down,

but then they don't utilize his talent. And now they're going to flip-flop and try to raise the price. I don't know if it's actually going to happen or not. I mean, he would be the guy I would choose first. And if not, then it kind of drops off to, like, third and fourth round kind of guys that are out there. I'm not sure, you know, who would be on their radar at this point, because I know with Benjamin Watson, things will start looking up.

He's starting to round, you know, back into form a little bit, and I think we'll see a lot more of him in the future. I agree with you, first of all, on a number of points, as I usually do, because your wisdom and counsel is usually top-notch, and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to speak with you, first of all, on a number of points, as I usually do, because your wisdom and counsel is usually top-notch, and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to speak with you today on this subject, because you do lend so much level-headed approach and level-headed thought on a day like today, where some of the thoughts can get very lofty and go haywire, for lack of a better term. First point that I wanted to bring to you about or that you brought up about oj howard is his ability his youth and his ability to be under contract and

be controlled by the team for the given future this is not a rental for just a half of year giving up the type of draft capital they would need to to get him is pretty solid and that's something that i think tampa bay would definitely look for. However, again, I caution Pats fans to remember that a team may be able to offer a better first-round pick to get him something a little bit higher, so they may have some competition in that area, and that to me is one of the roadblocks here as well. I agree with you. I'm not sure it's going to happen, but he would be the guy,

and then there is a significant drop-off when it comes to the other guys that they may target. If Howard is not available, we know the Patriots have called. It's been reported that they have called on him. They have been told in the past that he was not available. Now we're hearing rumblings that he might be, and he could be moved by the end of the day today. I think if they strike out on Howard, I don't see them making another move at tight end. I think they're probably going to roll the dice, take their chances on what they have with Benjamin Watson and hope that a combination of Lacoste and Izzo and maybe even

Tomlinson in some situations, although he's probably mostly a blocker, that that will end up working and that will end up giving them the firepower that they need. We mentioned the offensive line. You mentioned the tackle position and Trent Williams, and I agree with you. I think that's unlikely to happen simply because of the cash situation that the Patriots find themselves in with cap space and being able to afford him long term. At the wide receiver position, we've already seen them bring in

Sanu, and it looks like a good acquisition. I know they paid a steep price of a second rounder to bring him in, but I think they needed to do that, and I think the Patriots are going to not regret that investment. It's already showing signs that he and Brady, they need some time together. They're still not where they want to be, but you could see elements of it, especially with a couple of the throws and catches that he had on Sunday, that there is going to be looking to get guys healthy and maybe get some production out of the rookies like either Roshevsky, probably just in the punt return, but Jacoby Myers particularly might be relied on heavily down the stretch. Yeah, you know, it'd be tough for them to bring in another wide receiver

at this point because then, you know, one, the money situation would raise its head, and then two, then you have another guy that has to get acclimated to the offense. I think they're going to stick with what they have. You know, I see them bringing back Harry and, you know, who's been in the meetings, and he went through training camp. So, you know, he already has a grasp of the offense. I think it's just him getting some experience and they have time for him to do

that. And then with Sanu, I really like how he's going to fit in the offense. I think they're kind of set with what they have, unless something really jumps off the page at them. Yeah, I agree with you. And I know, you know, some of the names that are being bandied about AJ Green is one of them. That's always out there. Although Cincinnati has been very steadfast in saying that they want to hold on to him, I still think that's smoke and mirrors.

I actually expect A.J. Green to be dealt today. Not necessarily to the Patriots. I'm not suggesting that. I think he will eventually be dealt. I think Cincinnati's trying to hold out and get as much as they can for him, especially knowing his contract situation and what's going on there. But I agree. I don't think that the Patriots are looking to bring in a prolific wide receiver at this point via trade. I just don't think, first of all, I don't think

it's feasible. And second of all, I think that, again, that factor of having to bring someone in midseason, get them acclimated to the offense and bring them in and work with Brady is something that is an underlying factor here. And I don't think it's said enough. Brady is very good at being able to work with guys and bring them up to speed, but it's also a complicated offense. So yeah, I think they're pretty much done. I think that Sanu will end up being their marquee acquisition at the position, and they could have done a lot worse in that situation. I think he's very good with what they needed,

and I think that he'll be definitely a force going forward. Steve, there is a game to be played on Sunday, and regardless of what happens today with the New England Patriots and who may be roster comings, roster goings, they will be suiting up for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. We've heard the moniker before, oh, this is going to be their first real test, and the Patriots haven't played anybody until now. I think that's a little unfair.

I think they've played some teams that have given them a little bit. I think the Patriots have played to their competition, and the teams that they should be blowing out, they've played some teams that have given them a little bit. I think the Patriots have played to their competition, and the teams that they should be blowing out, they've blown out. Buffalo was really probably the exception to the rule, and Buffalo is a pretty good team. Sunday aside, with the game against the Eagles, they've played solid football so far all year. When you look at the Baltimore Ravens,

and you look at what they bring to the table, this is probably the most mobile quarterback that they've faced all year long. And typically what we've done is we've seen the Patriots use that zero blitz, bring the linebackers forward, get after the pass rusher, and cause them to be running for their life. With Lamar Jackson, that's a big part of his game is running. So they may not be able to do the zero blitz and then confuse the Ravens by showing the blitz and then dropping the seven back into coverage and not giving him anywhere to throw.

If you're the Patriots defense, how do you look at a guy like Lamar Jackson and defend him based on what they've done so far this year? Or might we see a little bit of a different look coming up on Sunday? I think they're going to change things up on Sunday because he is a different type of quarterback. So when I'm looking at this game, I see them trying to pressure him but trying to make him roll maybe to his right a little bit more and then try to bring pressure and force him into making mistakes.

You know, it was very interesting last night. I was listening to Bill Belichick on his weekly appearance on WEEI. And, you know, he was talking about Lamar Jackson. And of all people, he compared him to Tyrod Taylor. And I thought that was kind of interesting. I don't know if you should read anything into that. But he was like, yeah, we faced a quarterback with similar skills to Jackson. And when he played at Buffalo, Tyrod Taylor was a similar type quarterback.

And I kind of took a step back on that one. I don't know if we should read anything into that or not. That is interesting. That is definitely very interesting. And I actually did listen to that, and I heard that myself and found that a little curious. I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one because I think it is an interesting comparison. But if you look at it from an X's and O's standpoint, Belichick may not be as far off as people think. I think the skill set is definitely a little bit different in terms of prowess.

But when you take a look at what these two quarterbacks do, they are a little more similar than you would think. They like to take off. They're thinking run first, but they can throw the ball. They do have arms. And that's something that Lamar Jackson doesn't get enough credit for. I know that a lot of people believed, even coming out of of college that he might be used primarily as a running back some people were thinking that if a team drafted him they may choose not to use him as a quarterback and use him as a running back that decision for the Ravens has definitely paid dividends for them

in terms of upgrading from what they had with Joe Flacco now that offense is definitely you know formidable and they can present some issues for the Patriots. So again, thank you, because that's the direction that I was leaning in, in terms of them switching things up a little bit, especially allowing him to roll to his right a little bit. I think that may be the area where they can cause some issues for him. Offensively, we've seen this team struggle to run the ball. That's really, I think, been the offensive. People want to point to Brady and the incompletions and things of that nature. I think the passing game has actually been fairly solid with the exception of some hiccups.

Brady hasn't had a perfect season, but I think he's been more than efficient and more than simply just either a system guy back there. I've seen all kinds, and I know, Steve, you've seen them too. But running has been an issue for this team. Against a defense like the one that the Baltimore Ravens employ, which tends to be a little bit more front-heavy than back-heavy, do you think the Patriots will try to establish the run to get play action or simply just to run the ball at the Ravens? Or do you see this being one where Tom Brady's dropping back

and just throwing the ball multiple times over and over again? I have the feeling they're going to spread them out and go a lot of full wide on Sunday. I really do. I think this is a week that they're going to try to establish more of the passing game because I think Sanu will be, you know, he'll be back into the flow a little bit more. You know, obviously Edelman will be an issue for those guys. And, you know, we may even see Nikhil Harry this week.

So, you know, it'll be interesting to see how they utilize him. If he's actually back, you know, we'll see what happens, but I see a lot of four wide this week. I agree with you. I'm glad that you said that because that's exactly how I'm approaching this game. I look at the Patriots wide receivers as opposed to the Baltimore secondary,

and I like the way they match up. I really do. I think we may see a pretty decent game from Philip Dorsett this week. I think his camstring looks like it's getting better and better each week. I still think he's a pretty decent game from Philip Dorsett this week. I think his hamstring looks like it's getting better and better each week. I still think he's hampered a little bit, but I think he'll be able to find a little bit of explosiveness and get some separation. You mentioned Julian Edelman, and I think that's a great point. He does match up very well with this team in terms of being able to catch the ball, short yardage,

maybe even a little bit in the slot, and I think you're going to see Sanu in the slot a little bit too this week. I think that's an area that the Patriots can do that. I believe you will see some of those four wide receiver sets and spread the offense out a little bit because I think the Ravens are going to be a tough team to run the ball against, especially on the road. They're going to be pumped up. They're going to be ready for this game. This is one they've had circled for a while. And I guess you can say that about every team that

plays the Patriots. It's always their Super Bowl when they take on the defending Super Bowl champions. But this one should be a very, very fun game. And I know that Steve will be offering his thoughts, his analysis, and his game predictions later on in the week. But I just wanted to get your early thoughts on what we can expect to see in Baltimore this week. Steve, last question before I let you go, my friend. Your gut reaction today, if there is a move to be made out there, I know we're going back and we flipped a little bit, but it is trade deadline day, so I wanted to end on that note.

If there is a move to be made out there, your thoughts on the Patriots' probability of the move they may make, and then the final analysis, do you believe they will make that move? Oh, I think if there's something out there, they'll definitely make a move. I mean, Bill Belichick's always shown that. He's always shown that willingness to do that, and he's been great at bringing guys in at the deadline. His track record for that has been very, very good.

So I expect them to try to make a move. Whether or not somebody wants to be a partner with them again, I don't know. We'll have to see. And it could end up being some guy that nobody had on their radar, which has frequently

happened as well. Absolutely. Sometimes those guys pay the biggest dividends. We've seen it in New England very, very prominently over the last couple of years. Even though it wasn't a deadline deal, you look at a guy like Kyle Van Noy, it's amazing to me that the fact that he was brought in here and what he's meant for this defense has been phenomenal. No, it wasn't a deadline deal. You look at a guy like Kyle Van Noy, it's amazing to me that, you know,

the fact that he was brought in here and what he's meant for this defense has been phenomenal. So maybe there's a hidden gem out there, a diamond in the rough, if you will, for Bill Belichick to pluck out of obscurity and bring him to national prominence. And what better stage to do it than the stage in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which the New England Patriots take each and every Sunday. Steve, I can't thank you enough for always coming on. You lend your wisdom, your counsel, your analysis, and it's always spot on,

and our listeners always love it. Before I let you go today, my friend, please let everyone know, if they don't already, you should, but if you don't already know, please let us know where we can follow you and always read your great work, Steve. Yeah, you can follow me on Twitter at SteveB7SFG. And you can also find me on PaxFans.com and as well as SoftRep.com if you're a fan of military writing. I am going to be writing for them again real soon.

And you can see some of my stuff on there as well. And I highly recommend that. Any military historian, any military strategist, please read Steve's information. He gives it from a very firsthand perspective and a unique perspective and something that I highly recommend. So definitely recommend checking that out for all of you that are inclined to read matter of that type. And again, you know his

great football work, and you know his great analysis from the NFL and the New England Patriots. So Steve, thanks again, and as for me, I will be back tomorrow for Crossover Wednesday with Kevin Ostreicher of Locked On Ravens. Kevin puts on an amazing show for Ravens fans, and I

can't wait to share the mic with him. We will preview and predict the Sunday night matchup between the Ravens and the Patriots. As always, please join me each and every day on the Locked On Patriots podcast. Subscribe and listen via your favorite podcast provider. Once again, I'm Mike DeBate of Locked On Patriots. I thank Steve Balistrieri for his appearance today, but most of all, thank you for listening. Have a great day, everybody.